NEW OWNERS SUGGESTED EQUIPMENT LIST (smaller items can be purchased back home)

There is a lot to think about when your new boat is being built and about to be launched. Below are some items that you might want to consider based on questions that I get asked by many new owners:

SAFETY EQUIPMENT
Additional items required over and above what is supplied by the boat factories and it definitely pays to start looking early at your options to save on costs.

DINGHY/TENDER:
Always carry flares on your dinghy just in-case the motor cuts and you find yourself out at sea. Oars are easy on a solid dinghy, but on an inflateable or RIB it is tricky to row in the right direction and very slow. At night have a light on your dinghy which is best fixed onto the top of your outboard with magnets. This way people can see you! Put a cord on the cut off switch on the motor so just in case you fall overboard the outboard will stop. Never forget that a fast dinghy is very dangerous, especially at night when visability is poor and lights are reflecting on the water. Hard dinghies are very unforgiving to the gelcoat on your boat whereas the inflatables (good makes can be found in the Caribbean) are good for the boat but can be damaged in rough areas.

LIFE RAFTS:
Do you need a 6 or 8 man life raft, hard or soft box, single or double floor for cold climate sailing where you intend to keep the boat. Which make? can raft be serviced internationally? Give yourself enough time to look at shipping a life raft purchased overseas to the factory as it cannot be sent by air without disarming it, i.e. taking out the gas canister, flares. This is where it is perhaps easier to purchase a life raft in the country that the boat is being built in, especially if the manufacturer has overseas branches to service and repair it. This will save on the hassle and cost of sea or air-freight.

EPIRP:
Firstly you need a VHF licence to have it programmed. Some different options are manual or automatic deploy (water activated), built-in GPS location for greater accuracy and quicker finding time.

GPS:
Look at an extra hand-held GPS as back-up. How big must it be and what features are needed, does it need to interface with a laptop?

SPOT:

Also an excellent low cost personal tracking device.

CHARTS:
Electronic and paper charts for the area that you intend to sail in (what do you need for the delivery route?)

LAPTOP:
A must have these days! Features to look for should include WI-FI, reasonable storage for photo’s and charts (250+ gigs). Spill proof key board is great to have. A 12 volt plug would save having to use inverter or generator set to charge it. If you are wanting to SKYPE friends/family, a built-in web cam would also be helpful, a DVD writer for back-up and copying. The graphics and speed do not need to be high unless you intend to Game or watch DVD's. A tough laptop that can withstand the bumps is also recommended (built-in shock absorbers!)

COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS:
Essential for safety as well as a family or business communication tool.

VHF & MOBILE CELL PHONES:
Short range communication can be handled by VHF or mobile phone with a local phone card or roaming facility, but only if within range of land and a beacon.

SSB & SATELLITE PHONES:
for long range options.
SSB PRO’S: is that all listeners will hear a distress call, you are able to listen to many safety and weather nets , you can receive weather fax through your laptop and modem, you can attach a modem for cheap e-mails in plain text format (no pictures or attachments!)
SSB CON’S: high initial out-lay, then it becomes a low running cost. You need a level of expertise to get the most out of it, dependant upon quality of reception.

SATELLITE PHONE PRO’S: It is easy to use, has good reception therefore instant worldwide communication, can receive e-mails and weather grip files through modem and laptop, is portable enough to take home. Short msg emails can be sent via the sat phone re confirmation of weather, etc.
SATELLITE PHONE CON’S: Not really many at all !! It is no longer that expensive to purchase the phone and has now become relatively cheap with Inmarsat to set up on a "pay as you go" system instead of having to buy large bundles of airtime that often expired without use as they were only available for a 12 month period.

TENDER/DINGY: Either inflatable, RIB or hard dingy.
Inflatable pro’s: light to handle, stable, does not damage boat when you bump it, floats when rolled or full of water , can stow in small space - con’s, easily damaged, hard to row, needs to be pumped up often.
RIB pro’s: faster , solid floor, better ride and floats when full of water - con’s is heavier to lift and carry up beach.
Solid dingy pro’s: very hard wearing, usually light (especially if Aluminium) and rides well - con’s: does not float unless has built-in buoyancy, usually narrower and less stable. Can also cause a lot of damage to your boats gelcoat/paintwork if not fitted with good fender systems!

ALTERATIVE POWER:
A must have for the modern power hungry boat to save on fuel costs to run an on-board generator or engine hours on motors.

SOLAR PANELS: I personally like solar power if the area your boat will be in enough sun for most of the day (try to not let the mainsail shadow them) . Although initial out-lay is quite high, it is quiet, clean power that saves you having to run your engines/generator and burn fuel. The more panels that you can afford, the better.

WIND GENERATORS (you will have to find a quiet one that does not vibrate!) A combination of solar and wind power will cover most of your requirements. The more isolated the cruising ground, the greater the advantage of alternate power sources.

Basically, it is wise to generate power with all the systems available as sooner or later you will need it!

WATER MAKERS:  Essential if cruising and crossing oceans - also try to rig a rain catcher system on your bimini on a cat or wherever on a monohull.
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I hope that this information helps you with choices for your new boat. If you need more information please do not hesitate to contact me.

JOHN CLUISTRA